Domaine Santa Duc : Habemus Papam 2022

A blend of 60% Grenache Noir and 40% Syrah, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Habemus Papam reveals a floral, perfumed bouquet of dark cherries, violet and smoke mingled with a delicate touch of bacon. Moderately weighted and perfectly balanced, tense and layered, it's built around a vertical acidity, refined, elegantly structured tannins and a long, ethereal finish.

There’s a herbaceous lift to this delicious red, with a plush core of raspberry and sweet spices. Medium-bodied, with good balance between its ripe fruit and vibrant energy, plus lots of savory elements such as white pepper and smoked meat. Red tea tannins are fine and draw out the textured finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2038. 1,331 cases made, 300 cases imported.

Lovely weight and generosity of fruit. This is more about acidity than tannins, which are fine, like wet clay. Perfumed violets and red fruits on the nose. A very drinkable, fluid style.

This very Burgundian Chateauneuf has a wonderful silkiness and freshness for this hot and dry vintage. Full raspberry and forest berry aromas with a touch of dry forest floor character. Then the chalky tannins build at the moderately firm and bright finish. Very good aging potential. A cuvee of two parcels, one pure grenache, the other mainly grenache with a small amount of syrah. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink from release.

Cask sample. Lively and vibrant nose—a smoked-bacon note, as well as violet notes. Rich mid-palate, spiced notes, bacon fat, grilled meat, and a dark-kirsch note on the finish as well. Good energy. Smoked notes come through on the finish. Rounded and rich on the weighty, meaty finish. (AC)

The 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Habemus Papam is delicious, opening with melted licorice, black cherry, garrigue and a touch of flesh. Outlined by grippy tannins, the full-bodied 2022 is a seriously structured Habemus Papam that demands at least two more years in bottle. A long and savory finish rounds it up.

Deep, and just a bit dark, with its black cherries, wild strawberries, and peppery-edged black raspberries. The palate is slightly firm, with a savory edge, before you reach its core of red fruits. Give it a year or two in the bottle, and enjoy it over the next 12–15 years. The wine was made from a blend of close to 64% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 1% Counoise. Drink from 2027–2040.